gravity fed diesel filling station

[srjones]

I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of making frequent trips to the card-lock for 5 gallons of offroad diesel at a time so I'd like to set up a fueling station, raised to a platform of between 6-10 ft where I can quickly/easily/cleanly get fuel as needed.

I recently purchased two plastic barrels for this purpose (15 and 30 gallons)

My questions are.

1. On the non-dispensing bung is there a fitting that will allow the tank to breath (ie. let air in when fuel is going out and let air out when thing get warm) but yet keep out bugs and minimize splashes when in transit?

2. On the standard diesel nozzles, do they require any sort of back pressure to open? Or will a 2-3 feet of gravity open it up?

Thanks -srj

 

[ultrarunner]

I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of making frequent trips to the card-lock for 5 gallons of offroad diesel at a time so I'd like to set up a fueling station, raised to a platform of between 6-10 ft where I can quickly/easily/cleanly get fuel as needed.

I recently purchased two plastic barrels for this purpose (15 and 30 gallons)

My questions are.

1. On the non-dispensing bung is there a fitting that will allow the tank to breath (ie. let air in when fuel is going out and let air out when thing get warm) but yet keep out bugs and minimize splashes when in transit?

2. On the standard diesel nozzles, do they require any sort of back pressure to open? Or will a 2-3 feet of gravity open it up?

Thanks -srj

We had similar set-ups for off road diesel and gravity feed for 55 gallon lubricating oil.

The local Fire Marshall doesn't allow gravity for anything that can aid combustion... so it all had to go.

 

[Egon]

Get a threaded bushing that you can add a valve and u fitting for venting. Stuff it with Steel wool to keep the little things out! Of course use the solid bung when traveling.:thumbsup:

 

[lilranch2001]

a sintered pneumatic sound muffler would work as well, and be cheap and clean without any steel wool falling into the fuel
Can get them from Graingers


Muffler, Exhaust, 1/2 In NPT, 7/8 In Hex
Grainger Item #: 1A328
Price (ea.): $4.64
Brand: SPEEDAIRE

 

[niemeyjt]

The local Fire Marshall doesn't allow gravity for anything that can aid combustion... so it all had to go.

On a related 'legal' requirement - I guess you might also need to consider if any installation needs bunding?

J

 

[lilranch2001]

curious......, what is bunding?

 

[beenthere]

Bunding is a term used in UK and other countries, and I believe it is akin to a container to catch spills. They may have needed one in the Gulf.

 

[srjones]

Thanks everyone. I think this will do the trick:

Muffler, Exhaust, 3/4 In NPT, 1-1/6 In Hex - Pneumatic Muffler - Pneumatic System Components - Pneumatics & Hydraulics : Grainger Industrial Supply

BTW, I'm glad someone asked a question about bunding. At first I read that to be 'bundling'

 

[srjones]

They may have needed one in the Gulf.

They have one, but there's a big leak between Cuba and Florida.

 

[niemeyjt]

Bunding is a term used in UK and other countries, and I believe it is akin to a container to catch spills. They may have needed one in the Gulf.

Correct - in UK the law now says all industrial tanks (and domestic tanks over 2500 litres) must be bunded to 110% - this may be a double skinned tank, or retaining wall, or in the case of drums a sump pallet. This has caused many farmers to stop gravity fueling and use ground mounted double skinned tanks and a pump instead - the contrary of what the OP wanted!

Yes, the Gulf is awful - I remember as a child on the beaches getting tar on feet from a small leak - nothing like the scale of that those poor guys in the southern US face.

J

 

[beenthere]

I'm getting to the point where I'm tired of making frequent trips to the card-lock for 5 gallons of offroad diesel at a time so I'd like to set up a fueling station, raised to a platform of between 6-10 ft where I can quickly/easily/cleanly get fuel as needed.
................Thanks -srj

I had that same initial thought about hauling diesel fuel home. So I fixed up a 30 gal barrel that I would put on my trailer and fill in town.
Then rigged up a hose and nozzle that I could put on it, a chain sling to raise it using the FEL and let gravity take the place of a pump. I could have placed the barrel on a stand to keep, but didn't.
That worked ok, but over time I realized with a lot of tractor work (for me), I didn't need fuel that often so now I am back to just toting the 5 gal yellow can to town, and have not used the 30 gal barrel in almost 10 years.
5 gallons goes a long way in my JD 4300 and JD 455.

 

[CCWKen]

I'm betting you guys will see it by the end of the year. The Gulf stream will take out to the Atlantic and up the East coast. If there's no hurricanes or Nor'easter to wash it ashore, part of the oil slick could be getting to the North Atlantic currents by about Christmas.

 

[RoyJackson]

5 gallons goes a long way in my JD 4300 and JD 455.

Yes, it does. And I don't want to keep fuel around for any extended period for two reasons:
I want to ensure I use winterized fuel in the colder months, and
Diesel fuel can get microbiological contamination after extended setting.

However, I do want to figure a way to pump the fuel rather then lift the 5 gallon container up to the filler neck (on a Deere 4400, this is on the top of the hood). I've got two herniated disks now...don't want another, so any thoughts on this?

 

[CurlyDave]

The cheap & easy way I handle this is with another 5 gallon container. The real problem is that a full 5 gallon container is heavy, I am in an awkward position filling the tank, and my back is pretty delicate too.

There is no law that says you must put 5 gallons in that container. If you have two containers, fill one with 5 gallons at the pump and one with 2.5. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to pour 2.5 gallons into the tank than 5.

Once you have emptied the first container, put it on the ground, and split the fuel between the full one and the now empty one. Even with a bad back, this is easy on the ground because the position is not awkward.

 

[RoyJackson]

The cheap & easy way I handle this is with another 5 gallon container. The real problem is that a full 5 gallon container is heavy, I am in an awkward position filling the tank, and my back is pretty delicate too.

There is no law that says you must put 5 gallons in that container. If you have two containers, fill one with 5 gallons at the pump and one with 2.5. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to pour 2.5 gallons into the tank than 5.

Once you have emptied the first container, put it on the ground, and split the fuel between the full one and the now empty one. Even with a bad back, this is easy on the ground because the position is not awkward.

Good idea, Dave!!
Thank you!

 

[beenthere]

Yes, it does. And I don't want to keep fuel around for any extended period for two reasons:
I want to ensure I use winterized fuel in the colder months, and
Diesel fuel can get microbiological contamination after extended setting.

However, I do want to figure a way to pump the fuel rather then lift the 5 gallon container up to the filler neck (on a Deere 4400, this is on the top of the hood). I've got two herniated disks now...don't want another, so any thoughts on this?

One thought...use your loader to lift the 5 gal container.

Set it off on a rack, and you won't have to lift it.

 

[FredH]

I have a 360 gallon tank that I purchased from my brother when he moved his shop another location . We had 300 gallons put in that 1'st year , ( 5 years ago ) maybe down to 1/3 capacity now . Have put fuel stabilizer in it yearly and changed filter yearly . Pump is a rotary hand crank with filter . Nothing growing in it yet , also has not gelled even when temps got down in the teens .

This is what it looks like .

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/103041-how-do-you-store-your-5.html


There was also a thread were someone took a Semi truck tank and converted it into a fuel storage unit .

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/135862-fuel-storage-tank-stand.html

Fred H.

 

[om21braz]

Or maybe you could find one of the tanks like many heavy equipment operators have in the back of their pickups - typically holds 40-100+ gallons, has rotary pump already mounted? Just a thought.

 

[travis potter]

I have a not very smart question. Take a 55 gal tank put the out feed pipe to the bottom add a 5 or 10 psi regulated air supply and just blow the diesel out I think I saw that some gas stations used this in the past. You would need a safety valve to make sure the air didn't get too high.... Now have fun telling it is a bad idea.

 

[archerm3]

I have a 55gal barrel mounted on a steel shelving unit about 6 feet high. Attached a tee to the small bung, ran some clear tubing up one side as a level indicator, the other side runs to a valve, then through some hose, a fuel filter, more hose, to another valve and 6" nipple. The end valve and nipple serves as the fuel nozzle. Flows kinda slow through the filter with only about 1-2' of head pressure but it works. When I need to fill the barrel, I lift another barrel up in the loader and let it gravity feed into the shelved barrel through a similar setup. I get fuel from a friend in various barrels...